Delegation of Congressional Members Visits for Air Show Weekend

Delegation of Congressional Members Visits for Air Show Weekend
July 22, 2005

A couple weekends ago I, along with tens of thousands of residents of Ohio's Third District and far beyond, had the pleasure of attending this year's annual Dayton Air Show. Along with me was a delegation of Congressional Members. We received briefings at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base about the base's critical role in the global war on terror and some of the research that will provide U.S. troops with advantages on the battlefields of tomorrow.

I was joined by Reps. Robin Hayes (R-NC), Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI). On Friday and Saturday morning we received briefings from General Martin, Commander, Air Force Material Command, and other leaders at Wright-Patterson. Some of the most advanced and ground-breaking research being done to keep Americans safe, today and tomorrow is occurring at Wright-Patt. U.S. air superiority has helped us to fight more effectively and efficiently against those who would do us harm.

During the briefing we received an overview of the global reach of the United States Strategic Command. No other military in the history of the planet can boost the worldwide reach and strength of today's United States Armed Forces. Wright-Patt is one of the Air Force's most valuable assets. It is among the largest and most important bases in the nation and is extremely important to Ohio's economy. Every year it contributes $2.6 billion to the local economy and is directly or indirectly responsible for nearly 40,000 military and civilian jobs.

The briefings we received included the latest information on the Air Force's F/A-22 fighter, the most advanced fighting plane ever built. Soon the Air Force will have over 170 of these extraordinary planes that will ensure the U.S. maintains air superiority. We also were briefed about AFRL (Air Force Research Laboratory) whose mission is to lead the discovery, development and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air and space force. In particular, the sensor program that gives the United States an advantage finding the enemy and what they have hidden (such as tanks and other vehicles) is important and impressive. Quoting General H.H. Arnold, "The first essential of airpower is pre-eminence in research." Wright-Patt is pre-eminent in research.

On Saturday the other Congressional Members and I attended this year's Air Show. There are few sights more impressive than an F/A - 18 Hornet strike fighter flying by at near Mach speeds. For many people the highlight of the Air Show is the display made by the Air Force "ambassadors," the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds. Every American watching the amazing aerial demonstrations of the Thunderbirds can't help but to have a sense of pride and awe in the U.S. Air Force. Since its inception in 1953, more than 315 million people in all 50 states and 60 foreign countries have witnessed the Thunderbirds fly.

It was important to bring my Congressional colleagues to the region so they could see firsthand the important work occurring at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Seeing the Air Show also helped them to understand the importance of turning the Air Show into the only International Air & Trade Show in the United States. Last year I was able to secure a $1 million appropriation to conduct a feasibility study for an Air & Trade Show in the region.

The U.S. aerospace industry is declining and that may negatively impact the Air Force's ability to maintain international superiority. An international air and trade show will help boost the United States' aerospace industry. Many small-to-medium-sized businesses produce innovative and leading edge products. These businesses may not have the resources to travel to Paris or the sites of other international air shows. An air and trade show in the U.S. will bring their potential international customers to the U.S.

Southwestern Ohio is a logical location, in the U.S., for an international air and trade show. To make this point, I wanted the other Representatives to see Wright-Patterson Air Force base as well as the sites associated with the Wright brothers that make this the birthplace of aviation. The Dayton-Cincinnati Corridor is an international leader in aerospace engineering. Columbus is also within easy driving range, which will provide a large population base for an International Air and Trade to draw from, as well as hotel facilities to accommodate visitors from all over the world.

Every year, the weekend of the Dayton Air Show is one of the best of year. It was exciting to share it with several of my Congressional colleagues. I believe the time they dedicated to learning about Dayton's aviation history and the role of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will help them to support the base and the community's efforts to bring an international air and trade show to the region.

http://www.house.gov/miketurner/news/columns/7.22.05.shtml